PS 

l\48 





LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 




UNITED STATES OF AMEKICA. 



"NELLIE" 



A SUMMER RHYME 



BY 



Mrs. J. M. BRYAN 



s\^' 



^'^COPY RICH r^^A 



JAM 18188a \ 



NEW YORK 
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 

27 & 2g WEST 23 D STREET 

18S2 






Copyright by 
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS 

1882 



Press 0/ 

G. P. Putnam's Sons 

New York 



"NELLIE." 



^HE beautiful rosy sun-rays 

Had opened my slumbering eyes, 



Innocent lovely sun-rays, 

That were flushing the distant skies. 

The bright-hued tints of that morning 

Are framed in a picture fair, 
And the far-away summer glory 

Oft comes in a vision clear. 

The turquoise sky in the distance 
Seemed bluer than ever that day ; 

Great bursts of odorous sweetness 
Arose from the garden gay. 

The birds, in unconscious greatness, 

With melody filled the air ; 
And I, in my sixteen summers, 

Was unconscious as they of care. 

Altho' I had reached the river 

Where the shadows and sunshine meet, 
And was moving swiftly onward 

With hurrying careless feet, 
3 



NELLIE. ' 

That golden morn was my bridal, 

For I was to wed that day ; 
I, a rustic maiden, 

To a man who was stern and gray. 

O mothers with fair girl babies. 

To you I would praying say : 
Keep the rosy baby with you 

As long as the heart will stay ! 

mothers who love the glory 
Which is bought with glittering gold, 

You traffic, all, in human flesh, 
And often you sell a soul ! 

1 knew not much of the wooing ; 

To my father the tale was told ; 
To my mother and father, the wooing 

From the heart which was framed with gold. 

When the story to me was repeated, 

I laughed in childish glee, 
And told my great doll-baby 

That a prince had come for me, — 

A prince disguised as an ogre, 

To bear me off to his land, 
And I was to be a fairy, 

And queen of a fairy band. 

And at night I oft lay dreaming 

That the wond'rous change took place, 



NELLIE. 

And my ogre was really a handsome prince, 
With a royal, princely grace. 

I neither loved nor hated 

This man who was wealthy and grand, 
Who came with all his gold and age 

To ask for my rustic hand. 

I was only surprised and annoyed 
That I must leave and forever 
My dolls and birds and flowers, 
And no more, forever, to wander 
Through the long sweet meadow grass ; 
No more in crystal streamlet 
My dimpled feet to press ; 
No longer to lie a dreaming 

In the hush of the dying day, 
And watch the gold and purple 

Of the sunset far away. 

I must leave the life at the homestead, 
And the joys my days had led ; 

I must learn to forget the dear ones 
As if they all were dead. 

I only thought of the parting 
Which stood so near at hand, 

And forgot how far my new home was, 
And the stretch of sea and land. 

I dreaded to leave the dear old home, 
And the father and mother too, 



NELLIE. 

But they sent me forth with many a smile, 
And only a swift adieu. 
***** 

" My dear, you are very charming," 

Mr. De Vere had said ; 
And I, in my simple training. 

Had, blushing, bowed my head. 

We had passed over miles and miles of land, 

And miles and miles of sea ; 
.We had seen a thousand wonderful things, 

All strange and new to me. 

Our hurrying feet had wandered 

Through Naples, Florence, and Rome ; 

And through the magnificent sights and scenes 
I had sighed for my mountain home. 

My heart had glowed with a wealth of warmth 
When we enter'd the enchanted land. 

But my bursts of childish rapture 
Were stopped by my husband's hand. 

Which hand seemed ever ready 

To give me a warning touch. 
As he said in a cool, sarcastic tone : 

" Dear madam, not quite so much." 

So I lost the beautiful poem 

St. Peter's grandeur inspires, 
And gazed on the Sistine ceiling 

With eyes like smould'ring fires. 



NELLIE. 7 

And with burning thoughts 

And a wish for home, 
I passed through all the wonders 

Of grand Imperial Rome. 

Through beautiful Florence, 

Which stands like a jeweled queen, 

To soft and delicious Naples, where Vesuvius' 
fearful grandeur 
Appears like a midnight dream. 

We were nearing the stately mansion 
Where I would be mistress proud. 

And unconscious of all the quicksands, 
And the rapids roaring loud, 

I sprang to my feet with a merry laugh. 

O foolish, foolish maid ! 
Mr. De Vere's gloved hand on my arm 

Was quickly laid. 

" Refrain before the public," 

His voice was cold and clear ; 
"Such acts are ill-becoming 

The wife of Charles De Vere." 

I sank back crushed — and conscious of 

A pair of scornful eyes, 
Which flashed their glances on me 
With great, unveiled surprise. 

I looked up at my husband ; 
His face was grim and stern, 



8 NELLIE. 

And his eyes concealed an anger 
Which I had yet to learn. 

I glanced, with timid shyness, 

Back to the midnight eyes, 
And across the fair September day 

A shadow seemed to rise ; 

An unknown, nameless something, 

Which in my soul I felt, 
A shapeless doubt uprising. 

Which caused a new regret. 

Far up in the great blue heavens 

I saw a swallow fly, 
And looking at its free spread wings 

I wished that I might die. 

For I knew that my little pinions 
Were fettered with chains of gold ; 

Oh ! why had they gladly given me 
To this man so hard and cold ? 

Oh ! why had they let their birdling go ? 

And why did I feel this pain ? 
Would there always be a chill in the breeze ? 

Would it never be spring again ? 

Our travelling car had three times stopped. 
Ere I waked from my wandering why^ 

And the great black eyes had disappeared 
At some one of the villas near by. 



NELLIE. 9 

" Home at last," said Mr. De Vere, 

And I pressed my foolish, glad young heart, 

Which gave such joyful bounds. 

And again to my feet I 'm about to start. 

But remembering my husband's stern command, 

I silently take his proffered hand. 

And step on the marble, white and grand. 

Was this the home I had sighed to reach ? 

Was this the joy I had hoped to feel ? 
Was this great stretch of glittering rooms 

The balm my wound to heal ? 

Oh, cold and gleaming marble ! 

Oh, clear and shimmering glass ! 
''Would I ever grow to love them ?" 

I ask, as I quickly pass. 

From myself to myself was the question 

I would fear aloud to speak, 
In this cold, magnificent mansion, 

Where I feel so small and weak. 

But the days passed on, and a week went by, 
And another followed, yet I did not die. 

I even grew used to the great old house, 
And think I 'd been quite happy and gay, 

If only some good old fairy 

Had spirit'd Mr. De Vere away. 

I was thinking this thought one bright, cold day, 
And laughed aloud at how nice it would be, 



10 NELLIE. 

When Mr. De Vere stepped into my door — 
"Who was that laughing so loud?'* said he. 

'T was not the few little words he spoke 

Which dyed my face with red, 
But the cold and haughty tone he used 

Which caused me to raise my head. 

"/laughed aloud," I quickly say, 

"And will laugh, if I please, the live-long day." 

It was the very first time I had answered him 
thus. 
And he stared in wide surprise, 
. Then the crimson blood rushed up to his face, 
And anger flashed in his eyes. 

But he closed his lips in cold disdain, 

And turned and strode away ; 
And there on the floor, where late he stood, 

A little pink letter lay. 

My angry heart was throbbing wild, 

My pulse was beating high, 
I saw myself in the mirror wall, 

And wondered if it were I. 

I stamped my foot on the tiny note ; 

That it was his, was all I knew. 
Oh, if it were only he that I crushed ! 

And I stamped my foot anew. 

I flew away with a burning heart ; 

I told my maid, " I 'm not ' at home,' ** 



NELLIE. II 

I threw on my hat and walking-sacque, 
And started out in the park to roam. 

I wandered about in a careless way, 

With the sunshine o'er my head, 
Watching the bright little winter birds 

As they hunted their daily bread. 

My anger was all forgotten 

As I merrily tripped along, 
And in my health and youth so free, 

I softly hummed a song. 

I had reached a rustic fountain, 

And sat to rest on its brink, 
The world was all so beautiful there, 

Of the rest I would not think. 

I gaze in the placid water, 

And gazing I plainly see 
Two wonderful great brown eyes 

Shining back thro' the water at me. 

The eyes are so languidly loving, 
And the beautiful face so near by, 

That I reach out my hands toward them, 
With a merry little cry : 

** Oh ! you are the charming fairy. 
The prince I have wanted so long." 

And a man's strong voice made answer: 
" I came at the sound of your song." 
***** 



12 NELLIE. 

Oh, voice of melodious sweetness ! 

Oh, wonderful eyes of brown ! 
Oh, head like a young god pictured. 

Or young king waiting a crown ! 
***** 

Shall I ever forget that morning ? 

Shall I ever forget that day ? 
The leafless boughs stretched o'er me, 

Crossing the sun's bright way. 

When all the shining water 

Seemed turned to melted gold ; 

When that wee little marble fountain 
Seemed the best this world could hold. 

I had spoken a thought without thinking, 

If such a thing can be done, 
And I felt the very next moment. 

It was the worst thing under the sun. 

So I gathered me up in an instant, 
I 'd go though I longed to stay, 

I 'd go away 'thout looking again, 

And remember that face to my dying day. 

So I sped away with all swiftness, 

Across the sunlit space. 
But a step was quick beside me, 

And looking I saw that face. 

" You beautiful, darling baby," 
Said the rich melodious voice. 



NELLIE. 1 3 

"If you 've run away from some dreadful 
school, 
Just stop, and I '11 help you rejoice." 

A dignified answer I 'm framing, 

But before I have made up half, 
The mouth, which is grandly handsome, 

Speaks out with a ringing laugh : 

" I too have my awful duties, 

For I 've got to go this night 
To call on a horrid old cousin, 

And there I 'm to see a sight." 

I looked up half in wonder. 

Forgetting my dignified thought, 
And Apollo talks on with a downward glance : 

" A new old wife he has bought." 

" Has bought 1 '* I ask, with a shiver ; 

The idea gave me pain. 
" He is cold and hard and wicked," 

And he merrily laughed again. 

" So I 'm sure for his wealth she took him, 

For women, no matter how old, 
Either give their hearts away for love 

Or se// them for yellow gold." 

" Oh, hush ! " I cried, with a shivering sigh, 

" You make me hate my life." 
The great brown eyes looked deep in mine : 



14 NELLIE. 

" You 're in the flush of the rosy mom, 
Not near the mid-day strife " ; 

" You are a little child at the garden gate ; 
The past is flowers, the future fate." 

The ringing voice had a sadder tone, 
And the classic face had graver grown. 

Seeing my look, he made reply : 
" I pity all women under the sky, 
And most of all I pity the one 

Who would sell herself to a rich old stone 
(Such as I know my cousin to be), 

For she will tread the wine-press alone." 

We had reached the gate, which he opened wide : 
** I am treading the wine-press alone," I cried ; 
And with one swift look in the kind dark face, 
I moved away at a rapid pace. 

" Mem," said my maid, as she took my sacque, 
(My cheeks were flushed — my eyes were 
bright,) 

" You 've walked too far in the wind, I fear, 
Will you rest awhile, before to-night ? " 

*' I cannot rest," I made reply, 
And gave a restless little sigh. 

And as I turn my head away, 

A tiny note on the floor did lay. 
Unconscious as angels up in heav'n 

That I saw it before, that very day, 



NELLIE, 15 

I took It up in my own white hand, 

And these were the words which boldly ran : 

" Dear C — , have you tired of the toy you took 
for spite ? 

If so, like a man confess, 
And at the chateau at eight, to-night, 

You '11 find — yours fondly, the Marchioness." 

Had the sun gone down in a sky of ink ? 

Had the night come on with a tempest wild ? 
Was this outraged woman standing there, 

A poor little country child ? 

Who was this treach'rous Marchioness ? 

And how should I meet this blow ? 
I loved him not, I knew full well, 

But I vowed he should not go. 

I 'd array myself like a fairy queen, 

I would hold him by a spell, 
I would hold him back this very once, 

The* it be my future knell. 

I know that my face is lovely, 

And my form is wond'rous fair ; 
J never have cared for these gifts of God, 

But to-night I hold them most dear. 

I dress myself in a violet robe, 

With drifts of the richest lace ; 
I spare no time on my golden hair, 

Though joy has left my face. 



1 6 NELLIE. 

The maid worKed on in wonderous maze ; 

She had never known me vain, 
And this marvellous care was something new, 

And it covered an angry pain. 

Many times I 'd walked the splendid room, 
With a quick and nervous tread ; 

I had dined alone, — the hour was tiine^ 
And all my hopes were dead. 

He 'd gone to the hateful Marchioness, 

Whoever she might be, 
And in my heart I almost wished 

He would never come back to me. 

I had thrown myself, with a careless crush, 
'Neath the rays of the dazzling light, 

When the servant brought a square white card: 
" Mr. De Vere's cousin had called to-night." 

I looked at the card I held in my hand ; 

" Neal De Vere " was all that was there. 
How oft we hold our fate in our hands, 

Little dreaming our fate is near ! 

Down through the length of the bright-lit room 
Stepped a man with slow and graceful swing. 

Proudly formed from his head to his feet. 
And face, O face, what joy you bring ! 

He had reached the arch ere his eyes reached 

me. 
Then he stopped with a cry: " My God! can it 

be?" 



NELLIE. 17 

I Stood before him a woman child, 
And in my heart was an anguish wild. 

" Yes, I 'm the woman you pity the most " ; 

I say the words 'tween a sob and a groan, 
I put my hand to my smooth white throat : 

" Yes, I 'm the woman who married a stone." 

He took my hand in his own warm palm, 
And pressed it close ere another word ; 

Then he slowly spoke with a ling'ring pain : 
" How did the fowler snare the bird ? " 

I looked in the eyes, which were brown and true, 
And told him my story simply through. 

Told him that I was Nellie Adair, 

In the golden flow of the summer fair. 

That the birds and flowers were all my friends. 
For I saw them all thro' fairy lens. 

For what to others was only a flower. 
To me was a creature of human power. 

And as I told of the meadow stile, 
I' felt again like a little child. 

With my head leant back on the velvet soft. 
My words had stopped, tho' my thoughts 
went on : 



1 8 NELLIE. 

I had passed o'er mountain, meadow, and 
glade ; 
And I stood once more on the farm-house 
lawn. 

" Were those sweet eyes of azure blue 

Caught by the gleam of De Vere's bright 
gold? 
Did the little maid on the mountain green 
Take rank and wealth for her pure white 
soul ? " 

The voice was low, and the words were slow ; 

They were half of anger and half of pain ; 
I looked him honestly in the face : 

" Can you ask that question of me again ? " 

** I cannot," he cried, with his winning grace, 
" For I know that your soul is as fair as your 
face." 

Then he quickly rose and walked away ; 

Returning, he said, in accents clear : 
" Nellie, you '11 need a friend some day ; 

Remember that friend is Neal De Vere." 

O prince of mine, you have come too late ! 
O binding chains, you 're a heavy weight ! 

How oft I dreamed and dreamed that night. 
That I heard the sweet voice call me again, 

And felt the dear hands hold my own, 
With a thrill of joy akin to pain ! 



NELLIE. 19 

I dreamed I passed over sea and shore, 

And wandered again from the farm-house 

door ; 
But no longer a cold man, passed his youth, 
Strays near my side through the meadow- 
land, 
But a masterpiece from the Master's hand. 

A strong gay laugh makes the echoes ring, 
As the nodding flowers a welcome bring, 
And life is a beautiful, joyous thing. 

At breakfast my husband was cold and still. 
And I, of course, was just the same ; 

I meant to tell him Neal had called, 
But feared to speak the one dear name. 

And so he said, as I rose at last 

*' I 'm engaged to dine with a friend to- 
night." 
" The Marchioness ! " I almost cry, 

But crush the word and smile up bright. 

" Why not dine your friend with us ? " I say. 

"You are very kind, but I 'd rather not." 
"Oh, do ! " I cried in an urgent way, 

My evil spirit was on the spot. 

He looked at me in amazement wide : 

" I dine my friends at home when I please ; 

You have your wishes and I have mine.*' 
And I would have been ice, if his glance 
could freeze. 



20 NELLIE. 

" Where is the chateau ? " I die to ask, 

But he bowed his head and passed the door ; 

And I stand in the light of the winter day, 
And sigh for the days that will come no 
more. 

How dreadful to live thus alone, I thought ; 

If only I had some darling friend ! 
But the women I know are vain and proud ; 

We call, and we call, and that is the end. 

We have been to some parties and one or two 
balls. 

We are in the set where fashion rules, 
We know the women who live to dress. 

And the men who are well-dressed fools. 

The matrons, I 'm sure, think me cunning and 
shrewd. 
To have caught the fish who so long was 
free ; 
And the maidens wish for my beautiful clothes, 
But surely they cannot wish to be me ! 

I was tapping the floor in a listless way. 
And wondering what in the world to do. 

When my maid came through the open door : 
" These flowers, mem, were sent to you." 

I took the roses so pure and white. 

Which filled the room with their fragrance 
dear ; 



NELLIE. 21 

And my heart leaped up with a joyful cry, 
And somehov/, suddenly, the day grew fair. 

I read the note with a throbbing heart ; 

It was very kind and very polite, 
Asking if cousin Charles and I 

Would fill his opera-box to-night. 

'' Oh, how I should like to go ! " I sighed ; 

Then I thought of the evening long and 
drear, 
And felt like the poor little Peri must, 

As she stood outside of heaven so fair. 

I wrote a note of sad regret ; 

I said : '^ I should like so much to go, 
But Mr. De Vere was dining out ; 

And so, I supposed, it must be so." 

And when I 'd sent it, I shed some tears, 
And felt very angry with Charles De Vere ; 

Why had he gone to dine with a friend ? 
And who was that friend so dear ? 

Great stars were filling the violet dome. 
And the night was crisp and clear ; 

I had drawn the sweeping curtain aside, 
To gaze on the evening fair. 

I had lost myself 'mong twinkling stars 
Far up in another sphere. 



22 NELLIE. 

When a thrilling voice which was firm and 
sweet, 
Asked kindly if I was there. 

I put my hand into Neal De Vere's 

As I give him a welcome look, 
And tell him : " Yes, I 'm looking at stars 

Out of this cozy nook." 

He said : " Come look at stars 

Of another sphere and degree ; 
As Charles is out, come go with me, 

I am sure that he would agree." 

" I '11 be too glad," I quickly cried, 

And flew away for my wrap, 
I dance along, with a laugh and song. 

And leave my maid to nap. 

Oh I fair was the night as we rode along ; 

Oh ! sweet was the sound of my name ; 
As gay was my heart as the maid of old 

Who rode with her love through the flame. 

Oh ! great was the crowd that we passed on the 
way, 
And bright were the lights as we enter'd the 
door ; 
Soft were the strains which were filling the 
house. 
Like surges creep on a distant shore. 



NELLIE. 23 

We were in the box, which was scarlet and 
white ; 

I had taken a seat, with a happy sigh ; 
The world might be full of worlds, I ween, 

But this was a world for Neal and I. 

One act was o'er, and the curtain down, 
AVhen I laughingly said, " Who 's here ? " 

And lifting the glass I swept the house. 
Encountering many a stare. 

" Don't look any more," said Neal De Vere, 

But his words were said too late, 
I was looking straight in my husband's face, 

And learning, alas ! my fate. 

By his side was the woman whose bold black 
eyes 

Had mocked me weeks before. 
But now I saw that an angry frown 

Had clouded her dark face o'er. 

I turn my womanly, outraged face, 

Which crimson blushes dye, 
And I think Neal saw the wounded pride, 

As I speak with an angry cry. 

" Who is the woman ? " I asked aloud ; 

"I 'm anxious to know, I confess." 
And he answered low, thro' his white, set teeth : 

" They call her ' The Marchioness.' " 



24 NELLIE. 

I was quite too young to leave the field 

Thus waving a flag of truce, 
I '11 stay to the end, I quickly resolve, 

To go would be no use. 

So I tried to mask my face with smiles, 
And stayed till the play was done, 

Then Neal gave me his protecting arm. 

And we passed below where the hall-ways 
run. 

Once more we were driving awav thro' the 
night, 

Once more the stars were overhead, 
But somehow I felt degraded now, 

And the laugh from my lips had fled. 

" Nellie," said Neal, thro' the dark'ning gloom. 
And I feel his eyes, though I cannot see, 

" I told you last night, poor little girl, 
That a friend you had in me ; 

If troubles come and their shadows are near 

Will you take my advice, for my sake, dear ? " 

'' Ah ! Neal," I cry, with an anguish wild, 
'* I '11 do whatever you bid me do ; 

I trust you, as never I trusted before. 
Because I know you are brave and true." 

I heard a sound which was almost a groan. 
And his strong, warm hand crushed down on 
mine. 



NELLIE. 25 

" Don't make me lose my head," he cried ; 
" I am trying to walk in duty's line." 

I heard the words in half surprise, 

But their meaning full I never guessed ; 

That I should love this grand young god 
Seemed just what was right and best, 

But that the grand young god should love me too 

Seemed as far from my thoughts as the heavens 

blue. 
* * * * * 

So with all the warmth of my foolish heart 

I tightly clasped his hand. 
And thus in silence we finished the ride. 

And passed 'neath the rays of the starry 
band. 

A heavy step in the hall I hear, 

And a heavy knock at my door, 
Within a moment it opens wide, 

And my husband crossed the floor. 

" How long have you known Neal DeVere ? ' 
He cried in anger cold and clear. 
"A day and a night," I made reply. 
And looked him timidly in the eye. 

*' And you, dear sir," I am brave to say, 

" How long have you known your friend of 
to-night ? " 

He laughed a quick, short, angry laugh. 
And his eyes gleamed cold and bright. 



2S NELLIE. 

" Upon my word, you presume to ask 

A question few would dare." 
"Yes, a wife may presume," I made reply, 

But my voice was no longer firm and clear. 

Tears from my poor little aching heart 
Were rising up to my very throat. 

And I felt as a shipwreck'd sailor must, 
Whose eyes can see no boat. 

Somehow the billows seemed loud and near, 
And the land seemed far away ; 

Somehow the hour seemed very dark. 
And 't was not the hour before the day. 

"O Mr. De Vere ! " I sadly cry, 

"If you 'd only send me home, 
I would willingly live in the mountain shade. 

And over the fields would roam. 

" I 'd never trouble you any more, 

And you may live and love whom you please. 

Oh ! if you 'd only send me now, 
I 'd thank you on my knees." 

" No," he said, " I am Charles De Vere, 

And a position I must hold, 
I would not send you back to your home 

For twice your weight in gold." 

He stopped as if to more impress 
The words he was going to say : 



NELLIE. 27 

" And, madam, 1 '11 have no questions asked 
Whither I go, or where I stay." 

He turned as he ceased, and strode away, 
And e 'en had he stayed, I had naught to say; 

There was much I thought, but dared not speak. 
For my courage at most was small and weak. 

Next morning I said to Mr. De Vere, 

In ahnost a pleading tone ; 
**Were you so angry because I went 

With your cousin Neal, alone ? " 

His face assumed a haughty stare, 

And his eyes were bent on me : 
'' No, Caesar's wife was above reproach, 

And so with you it must be. 

" You are free to go with Neal De Vere," 
And a cold smile crossed his face ; 

"I've never acknowledged his superior charms, 
Nor discovered his wonderful grace." 

The blood leaped up to my foolish young face, 

But I silenced my angry tongue. 
Of this beautiful prince, with his winsome grace, 

The poets of old would have sung. 

Then how dare this man, with his cold hard face. 

Pass judgment so false and free ! 
No matter, I thought, what others may say. 

He '11 still be a hero for me. 



28 NELLIE. 

Day followed night, and night followed day, 
And Neal came often to cheer my way. 

He walked by my side when the sun was bright, 
And I coasted about in his wonderful sleigh. 

Wherever I was, there also was he, 

At opera, party, or ball, 
And never so merry or never so gay, 

But always ready to answer my call. 

My husband was also devoting his life 

To a woman's capricious sway, 
For the beautiful ostracized Marchioness, 

Held him to her giddy way. 

I 'd heard it said in whispers low, 

When the words were n't meant for my ear, 

That Mr. De Vere had held this course 
For many and many a year. 

"Then why," I cried, in my wounded pride, 
" Oh ! why had he married me ? 

AVhy had the Power who rules this earth 
Allowed this thing to be?" 

That he hated me, in my heart I felt, 
And that I almost hate him I fear ; 

Sometimes I feel I will tell him so, 
And the worst of his anger dare. 

The season had passed, and most of our friends. 
The butterfly friends we own, 



NELLIE. 29 

Had floated away on their gaudy wings, 
To other gay pleasures borne ; 

The wealthy and gay had hied them away, 
On the sea-side and mountains to roam ; 

And often I thought, as the days grew long, 
Of the cool, shady garden at home. 

Neal asked my husband a number of times, 
What plans he had formed for the season, 

But he seemed unsettled in mind and soul, 
And did n't know, though gave no reason. 

Then Neal's dark eyes would seek my face, 
And comfort I 'd find in the soft, sweet glance, 

And I would wonder if all was ordained, 

Or if only our lives were shaped out by 
chance. 

For surely it somewhere had been ordained, 
That I should love Neal with my very whole 
life; 

And surely, again, it must have been chance, 
That I should be Charles De Vere's wife. 

One sultry day, as I quietly sat 
And read of a maiden all forlorn, 

Mr. De Vere rushed into my room. 

And said we must leave for the sea-side next 
morn. 

" Why in such haste ? " I quickly ask ; 
And I note a shake in his hasty tone 



30 NELLIE. 

As he answered : " The town is deserted ; 
We are here all alone." 

"Have many departed since yester-e'en ?" 
I hold my voice at my own command, 

And I feel quite sure that the Marchioness 
Has flown away to the sea-side strand. 

^'Whether many or few," he sternly cried, 
" Remember we start to-morrow at eight " , 

And I, with a laugh, resign myself, 
And feel that I can not alter my fate. 

So the morrow came, and we steamed away, 
Leaving the city and steeples gray, 
Taking our course thro' the beautiful bay. 

Clear waters shine in the July sun ; 

Soft breezes blow from isles of delight ; 
There life is a picturesque, lovely dream ; 

There deliciously cool is the day and night. 

Such is the island, far out in the sea. 

Where we landed at last on a midsummer day ; 
Where the white beach stretched for many a 
mile. 
And the great waves break in their grand old 
way. 

Far out in the offing 

The brave ships ride, 
Their broad sails spread. 

With the sailor's pride. 



NELLIE. 31 

And near ashore, the gay little yachts 
Bound merrily over the foaming sea, 

With flying pennants, in colors gay, 

Like grotesque birds on a holiday glee. 

I had passed two days in the glitter and flash, 
With many a pang that Neal was n't there 

To enjoy the waves and clouds and sky, 
And I missed so sadly his friendly care. 

I 'd strayed away on the great white beach, 
And had wandered on thro' the evening red, 

'Till weary at last I stopped to rest. 

And to watch the bright clouds o'er my head. 

Bright jewels they seemed of purest hue. 
Great rubies and pearls in colors true 
Were mirrored back from a sapphire blue. 

I was roused at last from my quiet rest, 

And the idle, half-dream spell, 
By a footstep quick on the hard sand beach, 

And a shadow across the glory fell. 

I turned with wonder and surprise. 

And met the Marchioness' bold black eyes. 

The flowing folds of her garnet gown 
She carelessly held in her jewelled hand, 

And as she stood in the sunset glow, 
A queenlier form ne'er graced the land. 

O scarlet mouth with scornful curve! 
O midnight eyes of darkest hue ! 



32 NELLIE. 

Why blaze on me with angry fire ? 

lightning glance ! why pierce me through? 

" So you are the child, who married the man 
Whose heart / hold in the palm of my hand." 

Her voice, with its slightly foreign sound, 
Rang clear and sharp on the evening air, 

And I felt a fear pass thro' my heart. 
To be alone with this woman here. 

" If I had known," I quickly cry, 

And I hear my voice distinct and clear, 
" That this was the life I had to lead, 

1 'd never married Charles De Vere." 

" Ha ! ha ! " she laughed, as an angry red 

Leaped up to her dusky face, 
" That you never knew I 'm well aware." 

And she laughed again with a wicked grace. 

"He bought your poor little wax-doll face, 
With a trifle of gold to your old folks dear ; 

He was angry with me at the time, you see, 
Because of his cousin, Neal De Vere." 

She had called the name of one I adore, 

This handsome fiend with her mocking eyes ; 

That name was echoing through my soul. 
And to it my heart out-cries. 

Perhaps the love shone out of my face. 

For she drew her lips with rage suppressed, 



NELLIE. 33 

As she said with a short discordant ring : 
" May be the truth you 've never guessed : 

*' That I 'd sell my soul for Neal De Vere, 

Aye, sell my soul a thousand times, 
And murder and kill my path to clear." 

She had seized my arm, in her torrent of rage. 
And I felt like a bird in an iron cage. 

" How dare you steal his heart from me ? 

He is all that I want in this world so wide ; 
What care / for Charles De Vere, 

Except as a tool to mask my pride ! " 

" Oh, madam," I cried, **pray let me go "; 

And my trembling voice could scarce be 
heard. 
" Not so," she said, " I have waited long, 

And you shall hear me, every word. 

" I '11 give your husband freely up, 
If freely you '11 give up Neal to me." 

Ah ! woman pride, you are here at last ; 
Ah ! outraged wife, will you let this be ? 

"Go, woman," I said, in quick command, 
" You insult God's earth wheron you stand." 

I threw off her grasp, with a wond'rous strength, 
I felt that she was a thing to dread ; 

She shook her hands with a gesture wild, 
Then moved away in the lingering red 



34 NELLIE. 

And as she went, my courage went, 

And I sank to earth with a wailing cry: 

" Ah, now I see it all so plain, 
I would that I might die ! " 

Again I see my husband's face, 

With its cold, sarcastic smile ; 
Again I hear his chilling words, 

And the secret clears the while. 

I was free to go with Neal De Vere, 

If that would keep hwi back. 
He feared this brilliant sun might shine. 

And he be lost in its glorious track. . 
He would use his wife as a poor little ray, 
To keep this greater light away. 

I lay on the sand as one in a swoon, 

But my mind was quickly moving along, 

And one by one sad thoughts arise. 
And bitter memories join the throng. 

Till with a throb that the billows make, 

I hear a strain both wild and sweet. 
' Nellie ! " it cried, and I know it well ; 
" Nellie ! My God ! is this how we meet ?" 

My lips are closed, and my voice is dumb. 
But I feel the loved hands raise my head, 

And I close my eyes with blissful joy ; 
The dear heart thinks that I am dead. 



NELLIE. 35 

" Oh, darling ! " cried Neal, thro' the purple 
shade 

(The gold and the red had passed away) ; 
" Oh ! why did I ever let you go ; 

Why lose you from sight for a single day ? " 

And through the sea-breeze blowing to land, 
His beautiful warm mouth presses mine ; 

Oh, rapturous kiss which thrilled my life ! 
I raised my eyes to where his shine. 

" My life ! " said Neal, and he held me tight ; 

" Alive, my darling, my lily fair ? 
Why lying here all cold and still. 

Alone, on the beach, in the damp-night air ? " 

I fear to speak, lest I break the spell. 

Lest Neal's sweet words should cease to 
flow ; 

I fear that the dream will fade away, 
Like other dreams 't will surely go. 

But no dream was this that would pass away, 
For he held me close in his great strong 
arm. 

And fondly caressed my shining hair, 
Vowing to keep me safe from harm. 

" Ah ! Neal, you love me," I softly sighed. 
And Neal's grand head came close my own. 

While his winsome voice swore loving things, 
And a bright warm light in his brown eyes 
shone. 



36 NELLIE. 

" I never thought it," I simply cry. 

" / have loved you, ah ! so long." 
And the words are lost in the ocean's splash, 

As it echoes its ceaseless song. 

The moon was showing her quiet face 

A silver disk in the sky. 
When I, the wife of Charles De Vere, 

Start up with a sudden cry. 

" Ah, Neal . ah, Neal ! you 've been my God ; 

I have lavished my love on you. 
And now you have shivered my idol thus. 

And proven it false and untrue. 

" I 'm your cousin's wife, tho' I love him not ; 

I 'm his wife, though he hate me too ; 
And, oh ! if you had only silent kept, 

I 'd loved you for ages through." 

" Why, Nellie," said Neal, '' shall I tell you 
When this love first grew in my heart ? 

Since that day in the park, you remember, dear, 
When your tears were ready to start ? 

" All night I dreamed of your golden hair, 
All day I thought of your rosy face, 

Your great blue eyes I could not forget, 
Nor your soft and childish grace. 

" I 've often thought how I found you that 
night, 
When I called at Charles De Vere's home ; 



NELLIE. 37 

A beautiful, hunted thing, you seemed, 
In the grandeur and lamp-light, alone J' 

" Yes, alone ^ all alone ^'^ I quickly cry ; 
"Alone I must live, alone I must die." 

" You dear little darling thing," said Neal, 
'' That man of ice is freezing your life ; 

He is a stain on God's fair earth. 

And you, my Nellie, are called his wife." 

" Aye so it is," and I sob aloud ; 

" But Neal, dear heart, let 's forget this hour ; 
Sweet is the thought of your love to me. 

But I dare not, I fear it, — I fear your power. 

" Let 's blot this night from out our lives, 

And say one swift ' good-night. 
And to-morrow we '11 meet as we did before ; 

I will be Nellie, you will be Neal, and the 
sun be just as bright." 

" The sun may shine and the sky be blue, 
But what care I, if I have not you ! " 

"I doubt not, sir," rang out a voice, 

And Charles De Vere stepped on the sand ; 

His form obscured the silver moon. 

And he grasped Neal's arm with a heavy 
hand. 

Up rose the King in his glorious might, 
And proudly stepped he down, 



38 NELLIE. 

As a floating moonbeam rested 

On his head, like a jewelled crown. 

*' Yes, Charles," he said, "you've heard the 
truth. 

And I must repeat again, 
/ love this child — your outraged wife, 

In all her lovely youth. 

" More now to you I will not say, 

I know your heart full well ; 
Another time, whene'er you please, 

/ more of this will tell." 

He drew my hand within his arm. 

Then we slowly moved away, 
And the billows dashed with a merry splash, 

And the moon shone bright as day. 



" Oh, Mr. De Vere ! " I cried, with grief, 
As I crept that night to his door, 

*' I am as innocent as wife can be ; 
Pardon, and doubt no more." 

" The words you speak are the blackest lie,' 

His voice was slow and cold ; 
*' You love this treacherous cousin of mine. 

And oft the tale have told." 

" Your words are false," I cried outright. 

And my voice also grew cold ; 
** / lead a life all free from stain, 

While j'^z^ri' is rash and bold." 



NELLIE. 39 

" How dare you, woman, taunt me. thus I '' 

His rage surpassed my own ; 
'' You do forget / 'w Charles De Vere, 

Whose name is wealth and power alone." 

" Ha ! ha ! " I laughed, in my angry pride, 

" I wish I covXdi forget ; 
Your wealth and name alike I hate, 

As 1 hate the day we met." 

I checked myself in my torrent of wrath, 
And my heart cried out for shame : 

" What would the folks on the hillside think ? 
Would they think that their Nellie and I were 
the same ? " 

1 was melting away, and the tears, I felt, 

Were almost ready to start ; 
One year had taught me lessons stern. 

But they could not harden my heart. 

I raise my eyes to my husband's face, 
And the quivering tears o'erflow ; 

I say some eager, little words, 
In a voice constrained and low. 

"You have never loved me," I slowly say, 
While my sobs I quick suppress ; 

" I was told to-day why you married me, 
By your friend, the Marchioness." 

He turned like a madman full of rage : 
" You sought her out and asked her why ; 



40 NELLIE. 

You, Nellie De Vere, a rustic maid, 
Have tried to play the spy ? " 

*' I sought her not, nor knew that she was here ; 
She sought and insulted the wife of Charles De 
Vere." 

I said the words distinct and low, 
Without a flush or an angry glow. 

I felt that I stood on the mountain high, 
While he in the valley low did lie. 

I felt myself a woman true, 
While men as false as he were few. 

I speak again, ere he found his speech : 
" One single year have I been your wife. 

And from the first to this very day 

Our lives have been one constant strife. 

" I will not beg as I have before, 

That you send me back to my forest fair. 

But I go to-morrow, at early noon ; 

You 've ruined my life, oh, Charles De Vere ! 

*' You 've given my name to scandal's tongue ; 

You 've been most open, you must confess, 
In leaving your wife with cold neglect. 

To adore the woman called ' Marchioness.' " 

I had spoken the words which had burned so long 
Far down in my wounded soul ; 



NELLIE. 41 

Then I moved away from his angry face, 
And his gaze so hard and cold. 
***** 

" Am I going home ? " I ask myself, 

While joy and wonder meet ; 
I look at the fields we are passing through, 

All ripe with the golden wheat. 

I hold my breath with very glee, 

I feel so young and gay ; 
I look at the blue sky bending down 

To meet the hills so gray. 

I look at the stretch of harvest land, 

At the orchards all aglow ; 
And forget that beyond this glory 

The brawling world-waves flow. 

Oh, delicious purple summer ! 

Oh, golden days agleam ! 
Across the swath of perfumed grass 

The slanting sun-rays stream. 

" But what will they say, these dear old folks, 
To whom I am rushing for rest ? 

It cannot be true that they sold me away, 
They did what they thought was best. 

" I will not believe those dreadful words 
That woman spoke on the sand ; 

They loved nie too well to give me up 
For all the gold in the land." 



42 NELLIE. 

'T was the hour that follows the twilight, 
And the stars were here and there, 

A purple light was on the hills, 
And the whip-'or-will sang clear. 

Oh, dear old wood ! oh, dear old path ! 

Which leads through the garden old ; 
I step through the gate and follow the path, 

Like a trespasser, daring and bold. 

I am in the shade of the great stone porch, 
I can hear them speak — I 'm so near ; 

" Ah, mother ! " cried out my father's voice 
(And ill he must be, I fear). 

" Ah, mother ! I cannot live this way ; 
I miss her more and more each day." 

" Dear heart," said mother softly, 
And a j:ear in her voice I hear, 

" We wanted a grand lady of her, 
But we made a mistake, my dear. 

"We thought she was far too lovely 
For the homely life down here ; 

It was all for her sake, darling, 
Our duty seemed quite clear." 

"Aye, mother, but is she happy ? 

I often doubt and fear ; 
I 'm a selfish man, good mother. 

And I want our baby here." 



NELLIE. 43 

Then both of them fell to weeping, 

And I was weeping too, 
As I threw my arms around them, 

And cried : " I 'm here with you." 

* * 'k * * 

Yes, there I was, with the dear old folks, 

And a year seemed but as a day, 
I sat in my place between them. 

And we talked in the old-time way. 

I told them all, from the first to the last, 
And they, weeping, cried for shame, 

For shame on the man who would lead this 
life 
And thus disgrace his name. 

And they blessed me and prayed forgiveness 

For this act against my life, 
They said : " We thought you would like it, 
darling, 

To be, this great man's wife." 

And then in the silence that followed, 

I spoke out soft and clear : 
" He has a glorious cousin. 

Whose name is Neal De Vera." 

The red in my face was burning, 
And my heart beat quick and loud. 

And the distant moon, just rising, 
With silver, bordered a cloud. 



44 NELLIE. 

The dear old mother saw it, 

And pressed my hand, as she cried : 

" See, Nellie, my darling, yonder. 
Each cloud has a silver side." 

I felt that the mother knew it ; 

She had looked right into my soul, 
And with a woman's quick insight 

She had read the tale untold. 

That night I slept in my own little room, 
With its hangings of white and blue ; 

And I dreamt sweet dreams of a fairy prince, 
And his eyes were brown and true. 

Again I waked with the golden light 

Of sunrise in my eyes ; 
Again I heard the lark's gay song. 

As he floated across the skies. 

I was up and away through the rosy glow. 
Across the meadow and through the glade ; 

I tripped along with a half-sung song, 
Once more a mountain maid. 

I was at the stream, with its pebbled shore ; 

The hills were green on every side ; 
The feathery ferns were waving there, 

And there the violets hide. 

Oh, glorious hills eternal ! 
Oh, valleys green and still ! 



NELLIE. 45 

Great works of the greatest Master, 
Sublime beyond man's skill. 

I turn my face toward the east 

To catch the golden beam ; 
I hear a step — I hear a voice — 

Oh ! do I wake, — or dream ? 

Ah, hills ! where is your grandeur, 

Compared with this grand man ? 
Ah, vale ! where is your silence 

When this voice fills the land ? 

" My Nellie, dear, forgive me," 

The voice is crying low ; 
" Forgive the past and present, 

And I will quickly go." 

The little streamlet murmured ; 

It seemed to say : " Yes, go." 
The merry birds sang gaily : 

" This is your dearest foe." 

But my heart refused to echo 

These warnings which I hear ; 
How dare I drive the sunshine back, 

When the day began so fair ! 

" Forgive that night upon the beach. 
When my heart could not be still " ; 

And as I hear the pleading voice, 
The tears my blue eyes fill. 



46 NELLIE. 

I hold my hands toward him, 
In forgiveness, full and free ; 

But he cried : '' I cannot take them, 
They are far too dear to me." 

The shapely brown hands tremble 

In an effort for control, 
And the breezes sigh in sympathy 

With the story new and old. 

A tiny ray came creeping 
Across my wedding-ring. 

And as the light encircled it, 
It seemed a living thing. 

"It is a living mockery," 
He muttered in deep scorn ; 

** As if that narrow band could bind 
The midnight to the morn." 

" But, Neal," I cry, deep blushing, 
With inward shame confess, 

" Why did he ever marry me 
If he loved the Marchioness ? " 

The crimson blood of anger 
O'erspread his handsome face : 

" God only knows, my Nellie, 
For he 's old in that disgrace." 

My idle hands had sought the bank, 
Where the dark blue violets hide ; 



NELLIE. 47 

And Neal had stepped across the sward, 
And was standing close my side. 

" I am going to leave you, Nellie ; 

And going, I care not where ; 
But not to forget you, darling ; 

I could n't do that, my dear. 

" Sometimes I am sorry I told you, 
And sometimes I am glad you know ; 

I could n't have kept it always, 
And perhaps it is better so." 

'* 'T is better you go, and quickly " ; 

And my tears are falling fast. 
" I love you, Neal, most dearly. 

But the past must be the past ; 

" Perhaps somewhere up yonder," 

And I point to the glowing sky, 
But I hear a groan of anguish. 

And am stopped by his sudden cry. 

" Oh ! must I wait for yonder ? 

Oh, heart's delight of mine ! " 
And his eyes are soft and loving, 

And filled with warm sunshine. 

He gently takes the violets 

My hands unconscious hold : 
" I '11 keep them as a breath of you 

When seas between us roll." 



48 NELLIE 

" And this," I cry with sorrow, 

As I kiss his lingering hand, 
And then I pass him swifty, 

And reach the meadow land. 
* -^t * * * 

Life is a span, we are often told, 

But those who say it had never to wait, 

As weeks and months creep slowly by. 
And years, scarce more, in a tortoise gait. 

Hs 'k % Ht Hs 

Almost a year has passed away, 
And once again 't is beauteous May. 

I am in the orchard all a-bloom. 

With blossoms sweet in their new perfume. 

The slanting sun-rays seem to play 
In merry mood across my way. 

I move along with listless sight, 
Adown the drifts of pink and white. 

I reach the gate thro' which I 've passed 
On childish rambles many a year ; 

Beyond, the woods are cool and dark, 
And every sound re-echoes clear. 

I meet the shadows careless still. 

And careless leave the bands of light, 

To walk beneath the forest trees. 
Where twilight deepens into night. 



NELLIE. 49 

The tinkling sound of a distant bell, 
Comes faintly through the woody dell. 

No sight of human life is near ; 
The birds fly low without a fear. 

The swaying moss looks grim and gray, 
As it moves above the narrow way. 

The path leads on its winding way 
By shady corner, quaint and queer ; 

While here and there a perfect bower 
Seems fashioned for some lady fair. 

My eyes are fixed in wonder still, 

On climbing vine and drooping spray, 

When near I hear an angry sound. 
Like beast about to meet its prey. 

I quickly turn with wild alarm, 

But the Marchioness obstructs the way; 

Her wicked eyes are blazing fire. 
Her face is dark with passion's play. 

Her strong white hand has seized my arm : 
"You thief ! " she cried ; with angry might 

Her savage grip is on my throat : 

" He said he 'd be with you to-night ; 

*' He said you were pure as an angel bright ; 

He also said / was mad that day ; 
Ha ! ha ! when he comes 't will be too late ; 

He 'II find out where my 7nadness lay." 



50 NELLIE. 

" Oh ! spare me, woman ! " I try to beg, 
But my words are lost in her maniac yelL 

" Spare j<??// — oh, no, you white-faced doll ! 
Meet Charles De Vere at the gates of hell." 

I lift my hands to loose her hold, 
I raise ray voice and try to scream, 

I hear her curses through the space, 
I see her fiery eyeballs gleam. 

*' They say I murdered Charles De Vere 
Because I loved his cousin Neal." 

The words seem booming through the air ; 
My sight is gone ; I stagger — reel. 

" And die ! " she shrieked without a fear. 



All night I lay like something dead, 
Protected by the trailing shade, 

And when the rosy morn awoke, 
The sun-rays peeped into the glade. 

They crept about my tangled hair, 

And tried to warm r cold, damp face : 

" Gone from me in h - youth and bloom. 
Oh, God ! in all her oeauteous grace." 

I know the voice which moans the words ; 

'T would bring me life if I were dead. 
I try to say : '' No, darling, no." 

I vainly try to raise my head. 

I feel the dear arm lift me up ; 
I feel his kisses, warm and long ; 



NELLIE. 51 

I feel that Paradise is gained, 

And that to love him is no wrong. 

And feeling this, I sink away 

In slumbers deep and sweet ; 
I dream I 'm in a pleasant land, 

Where shining waters meet. 

They say that weeks and weeks 

Of weary watching passed, 
As day by day I fought for life, 

They feared I could not last. 
* * * * ♦ 

One evening in the twilight, 

Which filled the room with shade, 

I heard my dear old mother say : 
" He loves our little maid ; 

" Shall we not let him see her ? 

What do you, father, think ? 
I fear she is going from us ; 

She 's nearing the river brink." 

" Perhaps we 'd better let him come," 

The father whispers deep ; 
And then they look again at me, 

And whisper that I sleep. 

Then mother stepped out softly, 

But soon she came again. 
And with her came a manly form, 

Whose voice was full of pain. 



52 NELLIE. 

" Oh ! let me only touch her," 

The voice is murmuring near ; 
And as the firm hands press my own, 

I dream, I ahiiost fear. 

" Oh, God ! but give her back to me ! " 

The words are half a prayer ; 
So I feebly whispered to him : 

*' He has given me back, my dear." 

His joyful cry re-echoed loud. 
The old folks thought him mad, 

They quickly came and looked at me 
With faces grave and sad. 

And as they looked I tried to smile, 

A faint and sb:;dowy gleam ; 
But it showed that I was coming back 

From death's dark, silent stream. 

They raised their hearts with thanks to God, 
As they knelt down side by side ; 

And Neal looked in my timid eyes 
With love he could not hide. 
***** 

Oh, the golden days of summer, 
Which followed that forest dream ! 

How the rich young life came throbbing back, 
Like the rush of a mountain stream ! 

How my eager feet grew strong once more, 
And roses bloomed in my face ! 



NELLIE. 53 

How my bounding step was quick and free, 
As health came back with a rapid pace ! 

I stray through the great old garden, 

With its roses and lilies sweet ; 
I stand in the floating odor, 

Where the lilac branches meet. 

My heart is full of the sunshine 
Which is filling the summer land, 

When Neal De Vere comes down the glow, 
And softly takes my hand. 

'T is weeks since last I saw him, 

And now as he stands so near, 
I fancy the mock' bird's trilling, 

Holds notes which are rich and rare. 

" Nellie ! " he cried ; " I love you ; 

You are the fairest flower of all," 
And the birds repeat the secret, 

In strains that rise and fall. 

His manly arm is round me, 

And his rich voice calls me " Queen," 
And says : " I may love you, darling. 

For no one stands between." 

And then he tells the story, 

While he holds me close and fast : 

How the Marchioness had proved 
To Charles De Vere at last ; 



54 NELLIE. 

How down and down her giddy flight 
He 'd followed her, step and stone, 

And when he reached the great abyss, 
She had left him there alone. 



And then in a moment of rashness 
He had taken the life God gave ; 

And the Marchioness, for all her days, 
A maniac, wild, must rave. 

"O face of marvellous fairness ! 

O form I hold most dear ! " 
His voice is deep and earnest : 

" The night-shades reached you here ; 

" And I often think with horror 
Of the scene in the forest shade. 

Of how she left you there for dead. 
All night, alone, in the glade." 

♦ * * * * 

The golden sun is setting 
In clouds of amber hue. 
Which float away like gilded boats, 
Against a sea of blue. 

The great old hills, in purple haze, 

Rise up to kiss the sky ; 
And the breeze is softly singing, 

As it quickly passes by. 



NELLIE. 55 

The eyes I love are on me, 

And a voice says deep and low : 

" Please God, we '11 pass our future 
In such an after-glow." 



THE END. 



